John Imler, a pioneer in California’s private campground and RV park business who helped shape state laws governing RV parks and wrote widely read books on campground design and campground management, passed away Dec. 5 at the age of 84.
“Whether he was offering advice on how to design and manage campgrounds and RV parks or shaping laws that govern private parks, John Imler had a profound impact on the private campground and RV park business, not only in California, but across the country,” said Debbie Sipe, executive director and CEO of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC).
Imler was also an ordained minister who left the Christian ministry for the business world for 45 years, only to return to his faith in later years, an evolution he documented in his 2009 book It’s Never Too Late.
Originally from Indiana, Imler and his wife, Ruth, and their three children moved to California in September 1971 after they purchased a 20-acre feedlot in Dunnigan, Calif. The Imlers developed their first RV park on the property, which they opened in May 1974 as Campers Inn.
The following year, Imler and Ruth attended the first state convention of the California Travel Parks Association (CTPA) and became members of the association.
While the Imlers expanded their business to include Dunnigan Mobile Home Park in 1978, John ran CTPA as its executive secretary from 1978 to 1981. He later served as a board member of CTPA and president from 1982 to 1983, as well as a board member of the National Campground Owners Association, which was subsequently renamed the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
“John was one of the early government affairs advocates for the RV park industry,” said David Gorin, a longtime advocate and campground industry consultant.
Imler was involved in many government affairs efforts throughout his lifetime, he is best known for his efforts to legalize the sub-metering of electricity in RV parks. He also facilitated a major rewrite of Title 25 governing RV park regulations in California.
Additionally, John and Ruth Imler also joined Tug and Judy Miller in running the National RV Park Institute, a week-long course on RV park management and operations. The Institute was always held at an operating RV park. In 1996, ARVC recognized John as the “Educator of the Year” during the association’s annual convention in recognition of his continual contributions to the education of campground and RV park owners and operators across the country.
Imler also authored four books dealing with the RV park industry, including The RV Park Business, Being A Successful Manager of an RV Park, Resort or Campground, So You Want to Buy Your Own Campground, and Designing RV Parks & Resorts for the 21st Century.
“Ruth and I have enjoyed our years of working in this great industry,” said Imler in 2012 upon retiring, “during those years we have made, many friends and trust that we have been of help and service to some. We continue to wish you many joys as you continue in your service to the RV park industry.”